How to Remove Water Spots from Your Car’s Paint and Glass (Safely)
You just detailed your car—and now it’s covered in water spots. Whether from sprinklers, hard water, or washing in the sun, water spots can quickly dull your finish and make clean paint look like it was never touched.
Here’s how to remove water spots from your car’s paint and glass without scratching or making the problem worse.
What Causes Water Spots?
Water spots form when mineral-rich water (usually hard water) dries on the surface, leaving behind calcium, magnesium, and other deposits. These can:
- Etch into your clear coat over time
- Bond to glass and leave cloudy marks
- Kill the gloss of ceramic coatings or wax
What You’ll Need
- The Super Soaper – For pre-cleaning and softening deposits
- Water spot remover (acidic-based or vinegar solution)
- Clay bar or clay mitt
- Polish (optional, for etched or severe spots)
- Everyday Microfiber Towels
- Tough As Shell – To protect after removal
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Water Spots
1. Pre-Wash with Super Soaper
Spray or foam The Super Soaper directly onto the affected areas. Let dwell 2–3 minutes, then rinse. This lifts grime and softens mineral buildup for safer removal.
2. Use a Water Spot Remover
Apply a dedicated remover (or 1:1 white vinegar and water) using a microfiber towel. Let sit for 30–60 seconds, then gently wipe and rinse. Repeat if needed.
3. Clay the Surface
If spots remain, use a lubricated clay bar or mitt to remove stubborn mineral deposits. Always keep the surface slick with Super Soaper or dedicated clay lube. Work in straight lines, not circles.
4. Polish if Etched
For water spots that have etched into the clear coat, polish the affected area using a finishing or one-step polish. A foam pad is ideal here to refine without cutting too aggressively. (Coming soon: Picture Perfect Polish 👀)
5. Apply Protection
Once the surface is clean, apply Tough As Shell to seal the surface and prevent future spots from bonding as easily. You’ll get strong hydrophobic performance and easier future cleanups.
Bonus: How to Prevent Water Spots in the First Place
- Dry immediately with a Massive Drying Towel
- Don’t wash in direct sun
- Use filtered water if possible (especially for rinsing)
- Top off protection like Tough As Shell every 3–4 weeks
Watch our youtube video on this:
Water spots are frustrating—but totally fixable. With the right approach, you can eliminate them safely and restore your car’s shine without polishing the entire vehicle.
🧼 Products Mentioned in This Post:
- The Super Soaper – Pre-clean and clay-safe lubricant
- Tough As Shell – Hydrophobic protection to prevent future spots
- Everyday Microfiber Towels
- Massive Drying Towel
Don’t let a few spots ruin a great detail—clean, protect, and prevent the smart way.
